Container cap

ABSTRACT

A container cap includes: a first cap body formed with at least one first perforation and sealedly connectable to an opening of a container; a second cap body rotatably mounted on the first cap body and formed with at least one second perforation; and a sealing member positioned between the first and second cap bodies and formed with third perforations. The number of the third perforations is equal to the number of the first perforations. The third perforations are aligned with the first perforations of the first cap body respectively. The first and second cap bodies can be relatively rotated to unseal or seal the container for a user to select a desired mode for drinking a beverage contained in the container. For example, a user can directly drink a hot beverage with his/her mouth or insert a straw into the container to drink a cold beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a container cap, and moreparticularly to a container cap including a first cap body, a second capbody and a sealing member positioned between the first and second capbodies. The first and second cap bodies can be relatively rotated tounseal or seal the container for a user to select a desired mode fordrinking a beverage contained in the container. For example, a user candirectly drink a hot beverage with his/her mouth or insert a straw intothe container to drink a cold beverage.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many beverage stores selling various beverages to consumers,such as bubble tea, milk tea, cola, etc. In general, the beverages arecontained in paper cups or plastic cups and sold to the consumerstogether with the containers. After the beverage is drunk off, the papercups or plastic cups are often randomly discarded. This leads topollution of the environment. Moreover, for manufacturing numerous papercups or plastic cups, very tremendous precious resources in the earthare consumed. In the meantime, it costs very much precious resources andenergy sources in the earth for the environmental protection institutesto process the numerous paper cups or plastic cups. Recently, globalpollution and carbon dioxide discharge problems have become more andmore serious. The popular use of the paper cups or plastic cups is oneof the major causes responsible for global pollution and global warming.

When drinking a beverage contained in a container outdoors, a user oftenuses a straw to suck and drink the beverage to avoid leakage of thebeverage. Currently, only the paper cup or plastic cup provides a usemode for insertion of a straw. However, when using the straw, it isimpossible to temporarily seal the straw to avoid leakage.

Various stainless thermoses are currently available in the market. Thestainless thermos has the function of warmth-keeping. However, suchstainless thermos still has some shortcomings in use as follows:

1. In order to keep warmth, the stainless thermos is sealed with a cap.The cap has no insertion hole for a straw to insert therein. Therefore,a user cannot use a straw to suck the beverage contained in thestainless thermos sealed with the cap.

2. When a user opens the cap and inserts a straw into the stainlessthermos to suck and drink the beverage, in case of interruption ofdrinking, it is impossible to seal both the opening of the stainlessthermos and the straw. As a result, the beverage in the stainlessthermos is likely to spill or leak out to cause sanitary problem.

3. Each time a user desires to drink the beverage in the stainlessthermos, it is necessary to open the cap. Therefore, the warmth-keepingeffect of the stainless thermos will be quickly deteriorated or evenlost.

The conventional stainless thermos has so many defects so that a user isoften unwilling to carry the stainless thermos and use the stainlessthermos outdoors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide acontainer cap including: a first cap body formed with at least one firstperforation and sealedly connectable to an opening of a container; asecond cap body rotatably mounted on the first cap body and formed withat least one second perforation; and a sealing member positioned betweenthe first and second cap bodies and formed with third perforations. Thenumber of the third perforations is equal to the number of the firstperforations. The third perforations are aligned with the firstperforations of the first cap body respectively. When the second capbody is rotated to a specific position, at least one of the secondperforations of the second cap body is aligned with one of the thirdperforations of the sealing member to unseal the container. Under suchcircumstance, a user can drink the beverage contained in the containerthrough the second perforation in alignment with the third perforation.When the second cap body is rotated to another specific position, noneof the second perforations of the second cap body is aligned with any ofthe third perforations of the sealing member or any of the vents. Undersuch circumstance, the container is in a sealed state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the abovecontainer cap in which the second cap body is further formed with aninsertion cavity in which a secondary functional article such as athermometer or a compass can be inlaid. In case of a thermometer, thesecondary functional article has a probe extending through the sealingmember and the first cap body into the container. By means of thesecondary functional article, a user can know the temperature of theliquid in the container to avoid burn in drinking the liquid.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove container cap in which the second cap body is marked with symbolsbeside the second perforations to indicate the drinking modes providedby the second perforations, for example, hot beverage drinking opening,small straw insertion opening and large straw insertion opening. Theouter circumference of the first cap body is marked with a mark radiallydirected to one of the first perforations. Accordingly, when a userrotates the second cap body to align the symbol with the mark of thefirst cap body, the user will be aware of the current use function ofthe container cap that is provided for the user. Accordingly, thecontainer can be diversely used.

In practical use of the above container cap, a user can insert a strawinto one of the second perforations of the second cap body and extendthe straw through the third perforation of the sealing member and thefirst perforation of the first cap body into the liquid contained in thecontainer for drinking the cold liquid therein. When temporarily notdrinking the liquid, the user can rotate the second cap body to misalignthe first and second cap bodies from each other. Under suchcircumstance, the straw between the first and second cap bodies is bentand tightly clamped and blocked to avoid spill of the liquid containedin the container.

In the above container cap, the first and second cap bodies can berelatively rotated to unseal or seal the container for a user to selecta desired mode for drinking a beverage contained in the container. Forexample, a user can directly drink a hot beverage with his/her mouth orinsert a straw into the container to drink a cold beverage. Moreover,the first and second cap bodies can be relatively rotated to bend andblock the inserted straw so as to avoid leakage of the liquid containedin the container. In addition, annular leakproof rib sections aredisposed along the circumferences of the third perforations of thesealing member for tightly attaching to the bottom face of the secondcap body. After the straw is bent, the annular leakproof rib sectionserves to bind the straw to provide a leakproof effect so as to avoidleakage of the liquid contained in the container.

The present invention can be best understood through the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the present invention in asealed state;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective partially exploded view of the present inventionin a use mode for insertion of a straw;

FIG. 6 is a perspective assembled view according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective partially exploded view of the present inventionin a use mode for a user to directly drink a hot beverage;

FIG. 10 is a perspective assembled view according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a partially sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The container cap of the presentinvention includes a first cap body 40, a second cap body 50 and asealing member 60. The first cap body 40 is formed with at least onefirst perforation 42, 42 a and is sealedly connectable to an opening 21of a container 20. The second cap body 50 is rotatably mounted on thefirst cap body 40 and is formed with at least one second perforation 53,53 a, 53 b. The sealing member 60 is positioned between the first andsecond cap bodies 40, 50 and is formed with third perforations 61, 61 a.The number of the third perforations 61, 61 a is equal to the number ofthe first perforations 42, 42 a. The third perforations 61, 61 a arealigned with the first perforations 42, 42 a of the first cap body 40respectively. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, the second capbody 50 can be rotated to align at least one of the second perforations53, 53 a, 53 b of the second cap body 50 with one of the thirdperforations 61, 61 a of the sealing member 60 to unseal the container20. Under such circumstance, a user can drink the liquid in thecontainer 20 through the aligned second perforation 53, 53 a or 53 b andthird perforation 61 or 61 a. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,the second cap body 50 can be rotated to misalign all the secondperforations 53, 53 a, 53 b of the second cap body 50 from any of thethird perforations 61, 61 a of the sealing member 60 to seal thecontainer 20.

Please refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In the container cap of the presentinvention, the first cap body 40 includes a base seat section 40 a andan upper seat section 40 b. The upper seat section 40 b is tightlyaffixed to a top end of the base seat section 40 a. The top end of thebase seat section 40 a and the upper seat section 40 b together define areceiving space 40 c for receiving the sealing member 60 therein. Thebase seat section 40 a is formed with two first perforations 42, 42 aand a vent 43. The diameter of one first perforation 42 a is larger thanthe diameter of the other first perforation 42, whereby differentdiameters of straws can be passed through the first perforations 42, 42a. The base seat section 40 a and upper seat section 40 b of the firstcap body 40 can be integrally formed and connected with each other.Alternatively, the base seat section 40 a and upper seat section 40 bcan be fixedly connected with each other by means of, but not limitedto, high-frequency bonding or locking or the like.

The sealing member 60 is made of such as a heat-resistant soft material.The sealing member 60 has sleeve sections 611, 611 a axially protrudingfrom the circumferences of bottom ends of the third perforations 61, 61a. The sleeve sections 611, 611 a are respectively correspondinglyfitted in the first perforations 42, 42 a of the first cap body 40. Inaddition, the sealing member 60 is formed with a vent 62 incommunication with the vent 43 of the first cap body 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, an outer circumference of the first cap body40 is formed with a threaded section 45 for correspondingly locking withthe opening 21 of the container 20. In addition, a leakproof gasket 44is fitted around the outer circumference of the first cap body 40 toavoid gap between the container 20 and the outer circumference of thefirst cap body 40.

Please refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. An annular groove 52 is formed alongouter circumference of the second cap body 50. The first cap body 40 hasa flange 46 corresponding to the annular groove 52, whereby the flange46 can be inlaid in the annular groove 52 to freely rotatably connectthe second cap body 50 with the first cap body 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an arcuate slot 47 is formed on a top face ofthe first cap body 40 and centered at a rotational axis of the first andsecond cap bodies 40, 50 by equal radiuses. A locating boss 51 isdisposed under a bottom face of the second cap body 50. The locatingboss 51 of the second cap body 50 extends into the arcuate slot 47,whereby the second cap body 50 is restricted to only rotate within arange of angle contained between two ends of the arcuate slot 47.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom face of the second cap body 50 isformed with an elastic arm 54. A protrusion key 541 is disposed on theelastic arm 54. A locating recess 48 is formed on the top face of thefirst cap body 40 in a rotational movement path of the protrusion key541. When the protrusion key 541 of the elastic arm 54 of the second capbody 50 is correspondingly latched in the locating recess 48, none ofthe second perforations 53, 53 a, 53 b of the second cap body 50 isaligned with any of the third perforations 61, 61 a of the sealingmember 60 or any of the vents 62, 56. Under such circumstance, thecontainer 20 is in a sealed state.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, in the container cap of the presentinvention, the second cap body 50 is composed of a bed section 50 a anda cover section 50 b. The bed section 50 a and the cover section 50 bcan be integrally formed and connected with each other. Alternatively,the bed section 50 a and the cover section 50 b can be connected witheach other by means of, but not limited to, high-frequency bonding orbolting or the like. The second cap body 50 further has an insertioncavity 55 in which a secondary functional article 70 such as athermometer or a compass can be inlaid. The secondary functional article70 has a probe extending through the sealing member 60 and the first capbody 40 into the container 20. In addition, the second cap body 50 isformed with a vent 56. In a drinking state of the container 20, the vent56 communicates with the vent 62 of the sealing member 60 and the vent43 of the first cap body 40, whereby the liquid contained in thecontainer 20 can successfully flow out of the container 20.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the second cap body 50 is formed with threesecond perforations 53, 53 a, 53 b. When the second cap body 50 isrotated to a first specific position, one second perforation 53 isaligned with one third perforation 61 of the sealing member 60. At thistime, a user can drink a warm/hot liquid contained in the container 20through the second perforation 53. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5 to8, when the second cap body 50 is rotated to a second specific position,the other two second perforations 53 a, 53 b of the second cap body 50are aligned with the two third perforations 61, 61 a of the sealingmember 60. At this time, a user can drink the liquid contained in thecontainer 20 through the two second perforations 53 a, 53 b. Forexample, the user can insert a straw into the second perforation 53 a orthe second perforation 53 b and extend the straw through the thirdperforation 61 or the third perforation 61 a of the sealing member 60and the first perforation 42 or the first perforation 42 a of the firstcap body 40 into the liquid contained in the container 20 for drinkingthe cold liquid therein.

The sealing member 60 is made of soft material. Therefore, when a userinserts a straw into the third perforation 61, 61 a of the sealingmember 60, the sleeve section 611, 611 a protruding from thecircumferences of the bottom ends of the third perforations 61, 61 a cantightly hold the outer circumference of the straw.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, annular leakproof rib sections 612 aredisposed along the circumferences of the third perforations 61, 61 a ofthe sealing member 60 for tightly attaching to the bottom face of thesecond cap body 50. When the second perforation 53, 53 a or 53 b of thesecond cap body 50 is aligned with the third perforation 61, 61 a, theannular leakproof rib section 612 surrounds the circumference of thecorresponding second perforation 53, 53 a or 53 b to avoid leakage ofthe liquid contained in the container 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 10, the cover section 50 b of the second capbody 50 is marked with symbols 531 beside the second perforations 53, 53a, 53 b to indicate the drinking modes provided by the secondperforations 53, 53 a, 53 b, for example, hot beverage drinking opening,small straw insertion opening and large straw insertion opening. Theouter circumference of the first cap body 40 is marked with a mark 41radially directed to one first perforation 42. Accordingly, when a userrotates the second cap body 50 to align the symbol 531 with the mark 41of the first cap body 40, the user will be aware of the current usefunction of the container cap that is provided for the user.Accordingly, the container 20 can be diversely used.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, in practical use of the container capof the present invention, a user can rotate the second cap body 50 toalign two second perforations 53 a, 53 b with the two third perforations61, 61 a of the sealing member 60. Under such circumstance, the user caninsert a straw P through the second perforation 53 a or 53 b and throughthe third perforation 61 or 61 a and through the first perforation 42 or42 a of the first cap body 40 into the liquid contained in the container20 to drink the liquid. When temporarily not drinking the liquid, asshown in FIG. 4, the user can rotate the second cap body 50 to misalignthe first and second cap bodies 40, 50 from each other. Under suchcircumstance, the straw P between the first and second cap bodies 40, 50is bent and tightly clamped to avoid spill of the liquid contained inthe container 20.

According to the above arrangement, the container cap of the presentinvention is characterized in that the first and second cap bodies 40,50 can be relatively rotated for a user to select a desired mode fordrinking the beverage contained in the container 20. For example, a usercan directly drink a hot beverage with his/her mouth or insert a strawinto the container to drink a cold beverage. Moreover, the first andsecond cap bodies 40, 50 can be relatively rotated to bend and block theinserted straw so as to avoid leakage of the liquid contained in thecontainer 20. The present invention is further provided with a secondaryfunctional article 70 such as a thermometer. Therefore, a user can knowthe temperature of the liquid in the container to avoid burn. Also, thethermometer serves to remind the user to drink the liquid such as a hotcoffee at a temperature within an optimal range.

The above embodiment is only used to illustrate the present invention,not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the aboveembodiment can be made without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

1. A container cap comprising: (a) a first cap body formed with at leastone first perforation and sealedly connectable to an opening of acontainer; (b) a second cap body rotatably mounted on the first cap bodyand formed with at least one second perforation; and (c) a sealingmember positioned between the first and second cap bodies and formedwith third perforations, the number of the third perforations beingequal to the number of the first perforations of the first cap body, thethird perforations being aligned with the first perforations of thefirst cap body respectively.
 2. The container cap as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first cap body includes a base seat section and an upperseat section, the upper seat section being tightly affixed to a top endof the base seat section, the top end of the base seat section and theupper seat section together defining a receiving space for receiving thesealing member therein.
 3. The container cap as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first cap body is formed with two first perforations and avent, the diameter of one of the two first perforations being largerthan the diameter of the other of the two first perforations.
 4. Thecontainer cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member hassleeve sections axially protruding from circumferences of bottom ends ofthe third perforations, the sleeve sections being respectivelycorrespondingly fitted in the first perforations of the first cap body,the sealing member being also formed with a vent.
 5. The container capas claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer circumference of the first capbody is formed with a threaded section for correspondingly locking withthe opening of the container, a leakproof gasket being fitted around theouter circumference of the first cap body.
 6. The container cap asclaimed in claim 1, wherein an annular groove is formed along outercircumference of the second cap body, the first cap body having a flangecorresponding to the annular groove, whereby the flange can be inlaid inthe annular groove to freely rotatably connect the second cap body withthe first cap body.
 7. The container cap as claimed in claim 1, whereinan arcuate slot is formed on a top face of the first cap body andcentered at a rotational axis of the first and second cap bodies byequal radiuses, a locating boss being disposed under a bottom face ofthe second cap body, the locating boss of the second cap body extendinginto the arcuate slot.
 8. The container cap as claimed in claim 1,wherein the bottom face of the second cap body is formed with an elasticarm, a protrusion key being disposed on the elastic arm, a locatingrecess being formed on the top face of the first cap body in arotational movement path of the protrusion key, whereby when theprotrusion key of the elastic arm of the second cap body iscorrespondingly latched in the locating recess, none of the secondperforations of the second cap body is aligned with any of the thirdperforations of the sealing member or any of the vents.
 9. The containercap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cap body is composed of abed section and a cover section.
 10. The container cap as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second cap body is formed with three secondperforations, when the second cap body is rotated to a first specificposition, one of the second perforations being aligned with one of thethird perforations of the sealing member, when the second cap body isrotated to a second specific position, the other two of the secondperforations of the second cap body being aligned with the two thirdperforations of the sealing member.
 11. The container cap as claimed inclaim 1, wherein annular leakproof rib sections are disposed along thecircumferences of the third perforations of the sealing member fortightly attaching to the bottom face of the second cap body, wherebywhen the second perforation of the second cap body is aligned with thethird perforation, the annular leakproof rib section surrounds thecircumference of the corresponding second perforation.
 12. The containercap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second cap body is marked withsymbols beside the second perforations to indicate drinking modesprovided by the second perforations, the outer circumference of thefirst cap body being marked with a mark radially directed to one of thefirst perforations.
 13. The container cap as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe second cap body is further formed with an insertion cavity in whicha secondary functional article can be inlaid.
 14. The container cap asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the secondary functional article is athermometer having a probe extending through the sealing member and thefirst cap body into the container.
 15. The container cap as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the secondary functional article is a compass.